Mr Opanka was married to Auntie Akosua and they had a son, Richard, who was a lover of pets. His favourite pet was his dog, Lulu with whom he had established a close friendship. Wherever Richard went, Lulu was sure to go with him.
They played and even slept together. Richard’s attachment to Lulu was so strong and strange that Lulu would bark continuously whenever he sensed Richard’s presence from afar. And when he finally saw Richard, he would jump and greet him lovingly.
One day during sunset, Richard went for a walk with Lulu around the community park. While they were getting close to the bushy part of the park, a dark coloured honda vehicle pulled up. Immediately the occupants of the vehicle came out, Richard felt a strange sensation within him and Lulu would not help matters as he barked continously. The occupants of the vehicle numbered four were all heavily built wearing dark clothes.
Richard felt he was in danger and just as he was about to take to his heels, the men beckoned him to stop. Feeling very scared, Richard did as he was ordered. When the men got closer they pulled him into the car. They then covered his mouth so that he would not scream and tied both his hands and legs before they drove off leaving Lulu behind.
But the faithful dog did not go away, it run after the vehicle. Just before they got to the outskirts of the town, the vehicle came to a stop. The occupants came out and went into the bush. After waiting a while without seeing them, Lulu run quickly back home. At that time, darkness had fallen and both Auntie Akosua and Mr Opanka were worried because they did not know the whereabouts of Richard. When they saw Lulu, they felt relieved but Richard was not with Lulu this time which aroused their suspicions. Using all manner of gestures, they asked Lulu where Richard was. In response, it barked and jumped back and forth.
They realised it was a kind of message so they followed Lulu until they reached the point where they saw the vehicle. Luckily, when they got closer to the vehicle and peeped inside, there was Richard with hands and legs tied. By then, Auntie Akos had gone back to town to call for help.
In less than five minutes, the townfolks came around to rescue Richard. Finally, when they were able to set him free, they saw the four men emerge from the bush. They chased and arrested them and took them to the police station where it was learnt that the four had been on the Ghana Police Service wanted list for a very long time for a series of child kidnappings.
According to the police, they sold their innocent victims to people who used them in various child labour activities.
Richard was, therefore, the lucky one to have escaped; all thanks to Lulu his faithful pet.
Emmanuel Kokoor
,Adventist SHS, Bantama, Kumasi.
